Small Object Holder

ABSTRACT

The small object holder provides a secure enclosure for a gemstone while simultaneously offering viewers a multitude of viewing angles and an efficient storing means. The container includes a tablet, a suspension disk, and a disk-receiving cavity; all the components are made out of a transparent material to facilitate a clear view of the gemstone. The disk-receiving cavity traverses into the tablet and facilitates the placement of the suspension disk. The suspension disk includes an annular body, a plurality of prongs, and a plurality of prong holes. The suspension disk holds the gemstone in the center through a plurality of prongs. Each of the prongs contains a fixed end and a contoured end; the fixed end is secured inside the suspension disk while the contoured end engages the gemstone. The suspension disk is held inside the disk-receiving cavity by a front cover.

The current application claims a priority to the U.S. Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 61/907,015 filed on Nov. 21, 2013.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to holders and displays for small objects. More specifically, the present invention is a holder and container for suspending and displaying small objects such as precious gemstones.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Precious gemstones such as diamonds are revered for their decorative properties and aesthetic appeal. Gemstones are cut and polished in order to maximize light dispersion and allow the gemstones to shimmer and sparkle under light. Gemstones are often displayed in trays, boxes, or similar display cases for convenient viewing.

However, in order to enhance the viewing experience, gemstones are often viewed using jeweler's tweezers and a jeweler's loop, a cumbersome process. The present invention seeks to enhance and improve upon conventional means of holding, storing, organizing, and displaying small objects, and in particular, precious gemstones. The tamper resistant container is more manageable in a variety of different situations.

The present invention is a holder and container for small objects such as precious gemstones. The container provides an alternative means for organizing gemstones with greater ease and efficiency when compared to traditional means. Traditional means include storing precious and expensive gemstone in folded paper, a highly primitive approach to something of such great value. Additionally, the gemstones are handled directly when viewed in person, a difficult task if the gemstone is of a smaller caliber. The present invention allows personnel to easily view any type of gemstone from a plurality of different views easily and comfortably.

Therefore, an objective of the present invention is to provide a tamper-proof enclosure for the gemstone while simultaneously allowing for convenient and unobstructed viewing of the item.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a side view of a single prong of the plurality of prongs, depicting the preferred contoured end.

FIG. 6 is a detailed view of the contoured end as seen in FIG. 5.

DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION

All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1-FIG. 3, the present invention is a small object holder comprising a tablet 1, a suspension disk 9, and a disk-receiving cavity 16. The tablet 1 houses and protects the suspension disk 9. The tablet 1 also includes various features which allow the user to handle and organize the present invention with increased ease. The suspension disk 9 holds the small object in a suspended state in full view for the user to observe. The disk-receiving cavity 16 facilitates the placement of the suspension disk 9 within the tablet 1 as seen in FIG. 3. The objective of the present invention is to provide a means for holding and viewing a gemstone 17 or other small object in a tamper-proof enclosure.

The tablet 1 makes up the tamper-proof enclosure for the suspension disk 9 and in turn the gemstone. The tablet 1 comprises a first surface 2, a second surface 3, and a lateral surface 4. The first surface 2 and the second surface 3 are oriented parallel and offset to each other creating two sidewalls of the tablet 1. The lateral surface 4 is perpendicularly connected in between the first surface 2 and the second surface 3 yielding a plurality of sidewalls. In the preferred embodiment, the tablet 1 is made out of clear and transparent material such that external light might fall onto the gemstone 17 or small object to promote a proper viewing environment. Additionally, the tablet 1 is shaped similar to an extruded rectangle which allows the user to easily handle and organize the device. The disk-receiving cavity 16 traverses normal and into the first surface 2 a certain distance. The disk-receiving cavity 16 is circularly shaped with a diameter equal to the diameter of the suspension disk 9. The depth of the disk-receiving cavity 16 is equal to or greater than the thickness of the suspension disk 9 such that when inserted, the suspension disk 9 at least sits flush with the first surface 2. The suspension disk 9 allows for convenient and unobstructed view of the gemstone 17 or small object and as such is concentrically positioned within the disk-receiving cavity 16 as seen in FIG. 4.

The suspension disk 9 comprises an annular body 10, an item-storage hole 11, a plurality of prongs 12, and a plurality of prong holes 15. The gemstone 17 or small object is positioned within the item-storage hole 11 and held in place by the plurality of prongs 12 as seen in FIG. 1 and FIG. 4. For increased structural integrity, the item-storage hole 11 is concentrically positioned on the annular body 10; the symmetrical design also aids in the assembly and manufacturing processes. The plurality of prong holes 15 is radially positioned about the annular body 10 with each of the plurality of prong holes 15 traversing from the annular body 10 to the item-storage hole 11. To place a gemstone 17 or small object into the present invention first each of the plurality of prongs 12 is positioned into a corresponding hole from the plurality of prong holes 15 such that each of the plurality of prongs 12 is slidably engaged into the corresponding prong hole. The plurality of prongs 12 converges in the center of the item-storage hole 11 where an item may be placed. Next, the user then places the gemstone 17 or small object in the center of the item-storage hole 11 and secures it by extending the plurality of prongs 12 to physically engage the gemstone 17 or small object in the preferred orientation. Finally, each of the plurality of prongs 12 is fixed within the annular body 10; this may be accomplished through a variety of means including, but not limited to, melting processes, adhesive, and mechanical locking devices. The preferred embodiment utilizes four prong holes 15 and four prongs 12 that are evenly distributed about the annular body 10 as seen in FIG. 3. Additionally, the length of each of the prongs 12 is constant to ensure the gemstone 17 or small object is suspended directly in the middle of the suspension disk 9. In alternative embodiments, different lengths may be used for each of the plurality of prongs 12 in order to secure various asymmetrical gemstones or small objects.

To ensure that the gemstone 17 or small object is securely held in place, each of the plurality of prongs 12 comprises a fastening end 13 and a contoured end 14. The contoured end 14 for each of the plurality of prongs 12 is positioned within the item-storage hole 11, engaging the gemstone 17 or small object. The fastening end 13 of each of the plurality of prongs 12 is located within the annular body 10, fixed in positioned as described above. In the preferred embodiment, the contoured end 14 of each of the plurality of prongs 12 is a 110 degree groove cut as seen in FIG. 6; although, alternative contours may also be utilized to accommodate various shapes and sizes of gemstones or small objects. The preferred embodiment sufficiently secures the gemstone or small object while simultaneously maximizes the number of viewing angles for the user.

The tablet 1 further comprises a first recessed space 5, a second recessed space 6, and a front cover 7. The first recessed space 5 and the second recessed space 6 traverse into the first surface 2. Additionally, the first recessed space 5 is positioned adjacent to the second recessed space 6. The first recessed space 5 and the second recessed space 6 allows the user to easily handle the tablet 1. A lateral groove 8 is also utilized to create two additional lip features for the user; the lateral groove 8 traverses into the lateral surface 4 as seen in FIG. 1. The disk-receiving cavity 16 is centrally positioned within the second recessed space 6. In the preferred embodiment, the second recessed space 6 is larger than the first recessed space 5 and both are rectangular in shape as seen in FIG. 4. The first recessed space 5 may also be utilized for labeling and organizing purposes. The front cover 7 is oriented parallel to the first surface 2 and positioned within the second recessed space 6 and thus securely holds the suspension disk 9 inside the disk-receiving cavity 16.

In the preferred embodiment, the tablet 1, front cover 7, suspension disk 9, and the plurality of prongs 12 are all made of a clear and transparent material. The clear and transparent material allow the user to see the gemstone 17 or small object from all angles and ensures the true color of the gemstone 17 or small object is not distorted or warped by the surrounding enclosure.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A small object holder comprises: a tablet; a suspension disk; a disk-receiving cavity; the tablet comprises a first surface, a second surface, and a lateral surface; the first surface and the second surface being oriented parallel and offset to each other; the lateral surface being perpendicularly connected in between the first surface and the second surface; the disk-receiving cavity traversing normal and into the first surface; the suspension disk being concentrically positioned within the disk-receiving cavity; the suspension disk comprises an annular body, an item-storage hole, a plurality of prongs, and a plurality of prong holes; the item-storage hole being concentrically positioned on the annular body; the plurality of prong holes being radially positioned about the annular body; each of the plurality of prong holes traversing from the annular body to the item-storage hole; and each of the plurality of prongs being positioned into a corresponding hole from the plurality of prong holes.
 2. The small object holder as claimed in claim 1 comprises: the tablet further comprises a first recessed space, a second recessed space, and a front cover; the first recessed space and the second recessed space traversing into the first surface; the first recessed space being positioned adjacent to the second recessed space; the disk-receiving cavity being centrally positioned within the second recessed space; the front cover being oriented parallel to the first surface; and the front cover being positioned within the second recessed space.
 3. The small object holder as claimed in claim 1 comprises: each of the plurality of prongs being slidably engaged into the corresponding prong hole of the plurality of prong holes.
 4. The small object holder as claimed in claim 1 comprises: each of the plurality of prongs being fixed within the annular body.
 5. The small object holder as claimed in claim 1 comprises: each of the plurality of prongs comprises a fastening end and a contoured end; the contoured end for each of the plurality of prongs being positioned within the item-storage hole; and the fastening end of each of the plurality of prongs being located within the annular body.
 6. The small object holder as claimed in claim 1 comprises: a lateral groove; and the lateral groove traversing into the lateral surface.
 7. The small object holder as claimed in claim 1, wherein the contoured end is a 110 degree groove cut.
 8. The small object holder as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tablet is made of a transparent material.
 9. The small object holder as claimed in claim 1, wherein the front cover is made of a transparent material.
 10. The small object holder as claimed in claim 1, wherein the suspension disk is made of a transparent material.
 11. The small object holder as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of prongs is made of a transparent material.
 12. A small object holder comprises: a tablet; a suspension disk; a disk-receiving cavity; the tablet comprises a first surface, a second surface, and a lateral surface; the first surface and the second surface being oriented parallel and offset to each other; the lateral surface being perpendicularly connected in between the first surface and the second surface; the disk-receiving cavity traversing normal and into the first surface; the suspension disk being concentrically positioned within the disk-receiving cavity; the suspension disk comprises an annular body, an item-storage hole, a plurality of prongs, and a plurality of prong holes; the item-storage hole being concentrically positioned on the annular body; the plurality of prong holes being radially positioned about the annular body; each of the plurality of prong holes traversing from the annular body to the item-storage hole; each of the plurality of prongs being positioned into a corresponding hole from the plurality of prong holes; each of the plurality of prongs being fixed within the annular body; each of the plurality of prongs comprises a fastening end and a contoured end; the contoured end for each of the plurality of prongs being positioned within the item-storage hole; and the fastening end of each of the plurality of prongs being located within the annular body.
 13. The small object holder as claimed in claim 12 comprises: the tablet further comprises a first recessed space, a second recessed space, and a front cover 1; the first recessed space and the second recessed space traversing into the first surface; the first recessed space being positioned adjacent to the second recessed space; the disk-receiving cavity being centrally positioned within the second recessed space; the front cover being oriented parallel to the first surface; and the front cover being positioned within the second recessed space.
 14. The small object holder as claimed in claim 12 comprises: a lateral groove; the lateral groove traversing into the lateral surface; and the contoured end being a 110 degree groove cut.
 15. The small object holder as claimed in claim 12, wherein the tablet, the front cover, the suspension disk, and the plurality of prongs are made of a transparent material.
 16. A small object holder comprises: a tablet; a suspension disk; a disk-receiving cavity; the tablet comprises a first surface, a second surface, and a lateral surface; the first surface and the second surface being oriented parallel and offset to each other; the lateral surface being perpendicularly connected in between the first surface and the second surface; the disk-receiving cavity traversing normal and into the first surface; the suspension disk being concentrically positioned within the disk-receiving cavity; the suspension disk comprises an annular body, an item-storage hole, a plurality of prongs, and a plurality of prong holes; the item-storage hole being concentrically positioned on the annular body; the plurality of prong holes being radially positioned about the annular body; each of the plurality of prong holes traversing from the annular body to the item-storage hole; each of the plurality of prongs being positioned into a corresponding hole from the plurality of prong holes; each of the plurality of prongs being fixed within the annular body; each of the plurality of prongs comprises a fastening end and a contoured end; the contoured end for each of the plurality of prongs being positioned within the item-storage hole; the fastening end of each of the plurality of prongs being located within the annular body; and the tablet, the front cover, the suspension disk, and the plurality of prongs being made of a transparent material.
 17. The small object holder as claimed in claim 16 comprises: the tablet further comprises a first recessed space, a second recessed space, and a front cover 1; the first recessed space and the second recessed space traversing into the first surface; the first recessed space being positioned adjacent to the second recessed space; the disk-receiving cavity being centrally positioned within the second recessed space; the front cover being oriented parallel to the first surface; and the front cover being positioned within the second recessed space.
 18. The small object holder as claimed in claim 16 comprises: a lateral groove; the lateral groove traversing into the lateral surface; and the contoured end being a 110 degree groove cut. 